Sega gives new robot the feminine touch

June 20, 2008 Somewhat mysteriously dubbed E.M.A, or Eternal Maiden Actualization, this 38cm tall Sega robot was designed to look and move in a distinctly feminine manner, and can seek out nearby human faces for a kiss when in “love mode.”

The latest in computerized companionship is battery-powered and uses infrared sensors to navigate past obstacles and, in addition to mock kissing, it can sing, dance and hand out business cards. Due for release in September, the impact resistant, ABS plastic shelled robot is priced at 18,900 yen, (USD$175).

The E.M.A is targeted at adults, but at well under two feet tall it's not in the Stepford Wives category yet. There is little doubt that companion robots will be big business in the future, and given that humanoid robots are designed with human traits, it's safe to say the we'll be seeing a lot more of both "male" and "female" robots in coming decades. In a recently released a book, David Levy predicts that humans will have robot soul-mates by 2050.